hydra head splits with temporary residence

i'm sure anyone who even randomly keeps plugged in to current trends in music would know exactly the kind of talent that both hydra head and temporary residence horde these days. they've started a really great idea that has seemingly gone rather well so far where they are pairing up artists from both labels to do split EP releases.

mono/pelican SPLIT

the first is a split between mono and pelican. both are amazing post-rock and post-metal bands respectively. both are instrumental. both have a very worthy back catalog of releases. there is no reason to not listen to this.

jesu/eluvium SPLIT

the second, and most recent, release from this series of cross-label splits is between eluvium and jesu. while eluvium crosses a deserted field of grunge and dirt with the most beautiful and romantic cinematic themes imaginable, jesu has taken that same field and thrown in the ashes of discarded and lonely shoegaze pop bliss. the mixture of these two makes for one very satisfying listen. for me personally, this is the best material released by jesu since the silver EP was released in 2006. the three jesu tracks are gritty, dirty but accessible and absolutely wonderful at the same time. the single 20 minute track from eluvium is what you would expect. a shimmering journey into the atmosphere between reality and the unknown, courtesy of drones and sounds washing over you ever so gently. the ghostly piano notes creep into your mind just as you are becoming uncertain of where you are, comforting your inner being. although you become satisfied with the comfort level that the piano establishes, soon enough a thicker, more sinister wash of sound begins to overflow and a sense of drowning begins to settle in just before the track disappears into the air.

Cinematic II

Eluvium - Copia

The sound of Eluvium has shifted a few times with each release, but never in a bad sense. He never leaves the basis of the emotion that is being thrust upon the listener with the quality of sound and crafting of the songs. The music on Copia tends to swing back and forth from dusty, dirty washes of sound with hidden beauty and flat out catchy, romantic piano pieces that hook the listener by the second or third note. Personal favorites on this album would have to be 'Radio Ballet' and 'Prelude For Time Feelers,' as well as the very cinematic opening track, 'Amreik.'

http://www.eluvium.net/

http://www.myspace.com/eluviumtaken

Craig Armstrong - Piano Works

Craig Armstrong consistently provides extremely well written material both as solo projects and in film scoring. This would really lead to no surprise that I would consider his 'Piano Works' album a very cinematic piece of work. His piano playing is impeccable. The sound quality on the recording is, as you would expect, perfect. The songs go between the romantic, the lonely, the fearful and everything in between. There is not an emotional heart string untugged by this album. Some of the songs can be a bit boring, while others are so enthralling and captivating that they more than make up for any dull pieces. Do not go without at least giving this album a single spin.

http://www.craigarmstrong.com/

http://www.craigarmstrongonline.com/

Cinematic

This is a compiled list of albums that strike me as having something so rich and full to them that they are of a cinematic quality...this doesn't mean that they're so grand that they could score feature films with huge explosions and romantic love scenes. These pieces could be the score to rain falling, or to looking at trees before a storm hits while driving...a soundtrack to life itself.

Max Richter - Blue Notebooks

This album is just beautiful. The lush strings contrast perfectly with the interjections of found sounds and poetic expression through voice. The quality of this album in all its originality is unparalled. You simply won't find another like this. Richter's work, both before and after this album, are worthwhile indeed but unable to reach the same level this has hit. This album seems to embrace the frailty of existence and extenuate the greatness of simplicity.

http://www.maxrichter.com/
http://www.myspace.com/maxrichtermusic


Red Sparowes - Every Red Heart Shines Toward The Red Sun

As there are many, many releases that are put under the category of 'post-rock' these days, Red Sparowes so far have sadly been overlooked. While bands such as Explosions in the Sky may have brought 'post-rock' to the forefront of popular music, it could also be the reason why no one is searching out alternative bands that could possible fit under the same moniker. Thus far, to the average listener, 'post-rock' typically consists of Mogwai, Explosions, Do Make Say Think, Sigur Ros and so on. These bands are releasing boring material these days, to me at least and is creating an icky stagnation in this field of sound. With all of that sad, I am extremely pleased with the output by the Red Sparowes, and cannot speak highly enough of this album. Every Red Heart Shines Toward the Red Sun is quite beautiful in all its ugliness. There isn't a lot of thick guitar, but its heavy. There isn't a lot of quiet pauses, but the ambient drifts that can be found here are very relaxing. Thankfuly there are no words. Just music. Soulful and dramatic without becoming theatrical. There are hints of being deserted - desperation, loneliness and fullfilment while in these states of solitude. For my money - instrumental rock music could not become any more personal than this recording.

http://www.redsparowes.com/
http://www.myspace.com/redsparowes